Beverage machine turntable pad

ABSTRACT

A beverage machine turntable pad includes a housing having a first wall for supporting a beverage machine, a support rotatably coupled to the housing below the first wall, such that the support is rotatable about a rotational axis relative to the housing, and a plurality of adjacent drawers mounted on the support, each of the drawers being capable of extending and retracting relative to the support and radially relative to the rotational axis and through a housing opening formed through the housing.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to and the benefit of ProvisionalApplication No. 61/836,002, filed on Jun. 17, 2013, the entiredisclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Newer beverage machines, such as coffee brewing machines such as thosethat use coffee pots require that such pads are stored somewhere. Often,these pads are stored in drawers away from the coffee maker. Other itemssuch as sugar, etc., are stored away from the coffee maker. Thus, astorage system that occupies a lot of space and that can be adjacent tosuch coffee maker to hold such coffee related items is desired.

SUMMARY

In an example embodiment a beverage machine turntable pad is provided.The turntable pad includes a housing having a first surface on a firstwall for supporting a beverage machine, a support rotatably coupled tothe housing below the first wall, such that the support rotates about arotational axis relative to the housing, and a plurality of adjacentdrawers mounted on the support, each of the drawers being capable ofextending and retracting relative to the support is rotatable relativeto the rotational axis and through a housing opening formed through thehousing. In another example embodiment, the housing includes a secondsurface formed on a second wall opposite and spaced apart from the firstwall and a peripheral wall extending between the first and second walls.In this embodiment, the housing opening is formed at least through theperipheral wall. In yet another example embodiment, the turntable padfurther includes a post extending from the second surface toward thefirst surface. In a further embodiment, the support includes an openingpenetrated by the post. In yet a further embodiment, the turntable padalso includes at least one annular track on the second surface, suchthat the support is on the at least one annular track and rotates on theat least one annular track. In one example embodiment, the supportincludes at least one support track for each drawer, each of the atleast one support tracks extend outward, and each of the drawersincludes at least one drawer track for mating with, and sliding relativeto, a corresponding support track. In another example embodiment, thesupport includes at least two support tracks for each drawer, and thedrawer track on each drawer defines a dove tail mating with the supporttracks, such that the dove tail has a first portion and a secondportion, and at least a portion of a first of the support tracks extendsover the first portion of the dove tail, and at least a portion ofsecond of the support tracks extends over the second portion of the dovetail. In yet another example embodiment, the at least one support trackfor each drawer on the support is a dove tail, and the at least onedrawer track on each of the drawers is two drawer tracks on each drawerfor mating with the a corresponding dove tail of the support, such thatthe dove tail has a first portion and a second portion, where at least aportion of a first of the drawer tracks extends below the first portionof the dove tail, and at least a portion of second of the drawer tracksextends below the second portion of the dove tail. In a further exampleembodiment, only a single drawer can extend through the housing openingwhen the drawer is aligned with the housing opening. In yet a furtherexample embodiment, each drawer has a first mark and wherein the firstsurface has a second mark, such that when the mark of one of theplurality of drawers is aligned with the mark on the first surface, theone drawer of the plurality of drawers can be extended through thehousing opening. In another example embodiment, the first mark is acut-out formed on the first wall and wherein the second mark is acut-out. Any of the aforementioned embodiments may be provided incombination with a beverage machine, such as a brewing machine. Examplesof beverage machines include but are not limited to coffee, tea and hotchocolate brewing machines.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a turntable pad of an example embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a lower piece of the example turntablepad shown in FIG. 1 depicting drawers mounted thereon.

FIG. 3 is a perspective cutaway view showing a support rotatably mountedon a lower wall of an example embodiment turntable pad shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4A is a perspective view depicting a lower section of the housingof the example embodiment turntable pad shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4B is a perspective view depicting another example embodiment lowersection of the housing of the example embodiment turntable pad shown inFIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view depicting sliding engagementbetween a drawer and a support of the example embodiment turntable padshown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a partial cross-section view of another example embodimentsliding connection between a drawer and a support of an exampleembodiment turntable pad.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a housing of the example embodimentturntable pad shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a partial perspective view of an upper piece of housing (shownupside down) of the example embodiment turntable pad shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view depicting a connection betweenan upper and a lower piece forming a housing of the example embodimentturntable pad shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 10 is a front view of a coffee brewing machine supported by anexample embodiment coffee turntable pad.

FIGS. 11A and 11B disclose a perspective view and a top view,respectively, of example pods for use with an example embodimentturntable pad.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A coffee maker supporting turntable pad 10 is provided (FIG. 1). The padis described for use with a coffee maker for storing coffee pods forillustration purposes. The pad may be used with other devices such asteamakers, or hot chocolate makers, or other beverage making devices forexample and may house other type pods such as tea pods or hot chocolatepods or any other type of beverage pods including tea bags. In anexample embodiment, the turntable pad includes a housing 12 whichincludes an upper or first wall 14, on which may be rested a coffeebrewing machine, opposite a second wall 16. In an example embodiment,the turntable includes drawers 18 (FIG. 2). In an example embodiment,the turntable pad is meant for use with a brewing machine which usespods. Pods may have different shapes and are well known. For examplepods 80 may have a cup-shaped body 82 housing coffee which is covered bya covering 84, as for example shown in FIG. 11A. Other pods 86 may havea generally polygonal body 88 housing the coffee in a bulge 90, as forexample shown in FIG. 11B. Such pods are typically provided in sealedenclosures. Other pods may have other shapes. The drawers in an exampleembodiment pad may be used to house the pods. For example, differentdrawers may be used to house different types of coffee pods or differentflavored coffee pods. The housing first wall 14 forms a coffee brewingmachine interfacing surface 19 while the second wall or base wall 16defines a base. The two walls are interconnected by a peripheral wall20. The peripheral wall may be integrally formed with either or both ofthe first and second walls 14, 16. A support member, or plate 22,defining a turntable is rotatably mounted relative to the base wall,such that it can rotate relative to the base wall (FIG.3). In an exampleembodiment, a post 24 extends internally and vertically from an innersurface 28 of the base wall 16. The support member includes an opening26 which is penetrated by the post. In a further embodiment, at leastone circular track 30 extends internally from the inner surface 28 ofthe base wall (FIG. 4A). As shown in FIG. 4A, two concentric circulartracks 30 extend from the inner surface of the base wall. When mountedon the base surface, the support member slides along the circular trackand is thus spaced from the inner surface 28 of the base wall. By beingspaced apart from the inner surface, the support member 22 can rotatearound the post relative to the base member easier with less drag orfriction.

In another example embodiment as shown in FIG. 4B, instead of a track30, an annular cage 31 is fitted within an annular groove 33. Theannular cage 31 supports a plurality of roller bearing balls 35. In thisregard, the annular cage can rotate along the annular groove and theroller balls which also simultaneously rotate reduce the frictionbetween the annular cage and a lower surface of the groove. As such,when mounted over the base surface, the support member rests against theannular cage. Thus, due to the weight of the support member against theannular cage, rotation of the support member causes the annular cage torotate within the annular groove. The roller bearings allow the annularcage, as well as the support member to rotate relative to the innersurface 28 of the base wall, easier with less drag or friction.

The support member 22 is designed for slidably supporting the pluralityof drawers 18. In the shown example embodiment, the support member isdesigned for supporting four drawers 18. In another example embodiment,the support surface may be designed to support any number of drawers. Inan example embodiment, each of the drawers is coupled to the supportaround the post 24, and each has a truncated pie-shape in plan view. Inan example embodiment, for each drawer, the support includes at leastone support track 32 and each drawer also includes one drawer track 34for mating with the support track 32 so that the drawer can slideradially relative to the post and extend and retract relative to thesupport member (FIGS. 3 and 5). In an example embodiment shown in FIG.3, for each drawer, the support member 22 includes two pairs of tracks32 (or four tracks 32). In one example embodiment, each drawer track 34has a portion 37 for sliding below a portion 41 of a correspondingsupport track. In this regard, the support track retains the drawertrack from moving in a direction away from the support member. In theexample embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the support track portions 41 extendtransversely toward each other and from vertical portions 43 of theirsupport tracks 32, while the drawer track portions 37 extendtransversely away from each other and from vertical portions 45 of thedrawer track portions 37. In other example embodiments, the supporttrack portions 41 extend away from each other while the drawer trackportions 37 extend toward each other. In another example embodiment,each drawer has a dovetail projection 36 defining a pair of oppositetracks 39 for interfacing with two support tracks 32, as for exampleshown in FIG. 5. In an example embodiment, each drawer has two dovetailprojections 36 for slidably interfacing with the two pairs of supporttracks 32, as for example shown in FIG. 3. Other coupling arrangementsknown in the art may be used for coupling each drawer to the supportmember. For example, dove tail projections may extend from the supportmember for slidably engaging tracks extending from the drawers. As canbe seen with the example embodiments, the drawers can extend and retractradially relative to the support member.

In an example embodiment, an opening 38 is formed at least through theperipheral wall 20 (FIG. 1). The opening is of a size that will onlyallow one drawer 18 to extend therethrough at a time. For a drawer 18 tobe able to extend through the opening and outside the housing 12, thedrawer 18 must be aligned with the opening 20. In an example embodiment,each drawer is provided with a marking 40 and a marking 42 is providedon the housing, as for example on the upper wall 14 of the housing. Whenthe marking on the drawer is aligned with the marking on the housing,the drawer is in a position to be extended relative to the support, andthus, the housing through the housing opening. In an example embodiment,the markings are a cut-out formed on the upper wall of the housing, aswell as a cut-out formed on the drawer. The cut-out also allows a userto use his finger to penetrate the cut-outs and pull and extend thedrawer open, as well as rotate the drawers relative to the housing.

In an example embodiment, the housing may be formed in two pieces: anupper piece 44 which includes the upper wall and a lower piece 46 whichincludes the base wall 16 (FIG. 7). The upper and lower pieces are thenconnected to each other and define the opening 38. The connection may bedone with any well-known methods. In an example embodiment, the upperpiece is adhered to the lower piece. The two pieces may mate with eachother through a post 56 and groove 60 type connections, as for exampleshown in FIG. 9. In an example embodiment, the upper piece also includesan annular sleeve 48 for receiving the post 24 extending from the basewall when the upper piece is mated to the lower piece. In an exampleembodiment, at least one spline 50 is formed inside the annular sleeve48 for mating with a pocket 52 formed on the post 24. In an exampleembodiment, two splines 50 opposite each other are formed inside theannular sleeve 48 for mating with two opposite pockets 52 (FIGS. 2 and4A) formed on the post 24. Each spline 50 slides within itscorresponding pocket 52 when the upper piece is mated with the lowerpiece serving to guide the two pieces together and to prevent them fromrotating (at least to any significant degree) relative to each other andensure that they are properly aligned relative to each to other todefine the opening 38. In other example embodiments, the spline(s) 50may be formed in the post 24, and the pocket(s) 52 inside the annularsleeve 48.

In an example embodiment, the turntable pod is made for use with acoffee brewing machine 54 that uses coffee pods, as for example shown inFIG. 10. In such case, each tray may be filled with pods of a differenttype of coffee. A user may then rotate the turntable (i.e., the supportmember 22) with the drawers, such that the drawer containing the coffeepods that he/she likes is aligned with the marking and then opens thedrawer to obtain an appropriate pod of coffee.

In an example embodiment, the coffee interfacing surface 19 of the firstwall may be formed with specific types of coffee makers in mind having asufficient size to support such coffee makers. In another example, theinterface surface may be formed or molded into a shape that iscomplementary the base of a coffee maker. In addition, the interfacingsurface 19 may include a surface that provides higher friction forpreventing the beverage machines (e.g., coffee maker) from sliding off.In one example embodiment, the interfacing surface may be made fromrubber or a rubber-like material or include a section or sections ofrubber or rubber-like material, or other similar materials.

While the present invention has been described in connection withcertain exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the inventionis not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, isintended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangementsincluded within the spirit and scope of the appended claims, andequivalents thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. A beverage machine turntable pad and brewingmachine combination comprising: a beverage machine; a housing having afirst surface on a first wall supporting said beverage machine; asupport rotatably coupled to the housing below the first wall, whereinthe support is rotatable about a rotational axis relative to thehousing; and a plurality of adjacent drawers mounted on the support,each of said drawers being capable of extending and retracting relativeto the support and radially relative to the rotational axis and througha housing opening formed through the housing.
 2. The combination ofclaim 1, wherein the housing comprises a second surface on a second wallopposite and spaced apart from the first wall and a peripheral wallextending between the first and second walls, wherein the housingopening is formed at least through the peripheral wall.
 3. Thecombination of claim 2, further comprising a post extending from asecond surface formed on the second wall toward the first wall.
 4. Thecombination of claim 3, wherein the support comprises an openingpenetrated by said post.
 5. The combination of claim 4, furthercomprising at least one annular track on said second surface, whereinsaid support is on said at least one annular track and rotates on saidat least one annular track.
 6. The combination of claim 5, wherein saidsupport comprises at least one support track for each drawer, each ofsaid at least one support tracks extend outward, and wherein each ofsaid drawers comprises at least one drawer track for mating with, andsliding relative to, a corresponding support track.
 7. The combinationof claim 6, wherein said support comprises at least two support tracksfor each drawer, and wherein said drawer track on each drawer defines adove tail mating with said support tracks, wherein said dove tail has afirst portion and a second portion, wherein a at least a portion of afirst of said support tracks extends over the first portion of said dovetail, and at least a portion of second of said support tracks extendsover the second portion of the dove tail.
 8. The combination of claim 6,wherein said at least one support track for each drawer on said supportis a dove tail, and wherein said at least one drawer track on each ofsaid drawers is two drawer tracks on each drawer for mating with saidcorresponding dove tail of said support, wherein said dove tail has afirst portion and a second portion, wherein at least a portion of afirst of said drawer tracks extends below the first portion of said dovetail, and at least a portion of second of said drawer tracks extendsbelow the second portion of the dove tail.
 9. The combination of claim1, wherein only a single drawer can extend through said housing openingwhen said drawer is aligned with said housing opening.
 10. Thecombination of claim 9, wherein each drawer has a first mark and whereinthe first surface has a second mark, wherein when the mark of one ofsaid plurality of drawers is aligned with the mark on said firstsurface, said one drawer of said plurality of drawers can be extendedthrough said housing opening.
 11. The combination of claim 10, whereinthe first mark is a cut-out on the first wall and wherein the secondmark is a cut-out.
 12. A beverage machine turntable pad comprising: ahousing having a first surface on a first wall supporting a beveragemachine; a support rotatably coupled to the housing below the firstsurface, wherein the support is rotatable about a rotational axisrelative to the housing; and a plurality of adjacent drawers mounted onthe support, each of said drawers being capable of extending andretracting relative to the support and radially relative to therotational axis and through a housing opening formed through thehousing.
 13. The turntable pad of claim 12, wherein the housingcomprises a second wall opposite and spaced apart from the first walland a peripheral wall extending between the first and second walls,wherein the housing opening is formed at least through the peripheralwall.
 14. The turntable pad of claim 13, further comprising a postextending from a second surface formed on the second wall toward thefirst wall.
 15. The turntable pad of claim 14, wherein the supportcomprises an opening penetrated by said post.
 16. The turntable pad ofclaim 15, further comprising at least one annular track on said secondsurface, wherein said support is on said at least one annular track androtates on said at least one annular track.
 17. The turntable pad ofclaim 16, wherein said support comprises at least one support track foreach drawer, each of said at least one support tracks extend outward,and wherein each of said drawers comprises at least one drawer track formating with, and sliding relative to, a corresponding support track. 18.The turntable pad of claim 12, wherein only a single drawer can extendthrough said housing opening when said drawer is aligned with saidhousing opening.
 19. The turntable pad of claim 18, wherein each drawerhas a first mark and wherein the first surface has a second mark,wherein when the mark of one of said plurality of drawers is alignedwith the mark on said first surface, said one drawer of said pluralityof drawers can be extended through said housing opening.
 20. Theturntable pad of claim 19, wherein the first mark is a cut-out on thefirst wall and wherein the second mark is a cut-out.